Mounting for a lighting fixture



1959 L. D. BLACK, JR, ET AL 2,898,073

MOUNTING FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Feb. '27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. I

INVENTORS LOUIS D. BLACK JR. SAMUEL A. BROWN Aug. 4, 1959v 1.. D. BLACK, JR, ET AL MOUNTING FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1956 INVENTORS LOUIS D- BLACK,JR. SAMUEL A. BROWN United States Patent 9 "'ce MOUNTING FOR A LIGHTING Louis D. Black, Jr., Lomita, antlSamuel A. Brown, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 27, 1956, Serial No. "568,038

9 Claims. (Cl. 24831 7) The present invention relates generally to lighting fixture mountings and more particularly to amounting for a lighting fixture stem allowing uni-directional flexing at the fixture.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a mounting for use with a suspended lighting fixture having a plurality of vertical hanger stems. It will be recognized that such stems are conventionally equipped with swivel joints allowing pivotal movement of the stems relative to the supporting structure such as the ceiling, and that present fixtures are thus equipped to allow transverse swinging motion. However, when more than one hanger stem is used as, for example, adjacent each end of an elongated fixture, stems rigidly fixed to the fixture are not adapted to allow a swinging motion in the direction of the length of the fixture. Since direction of the earthquake or other shock wave cannot be predicted, this invention seeks to provide for such longitudinal swinging.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting which requires little or no alteration in the fixture itself. Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting which accommodates electric power leads normally threaded through the hanger stems, and which will not injure any of this electric wiring or other portions of the fixture even in the event of violent swinging motion of the fixture.

Another object, ancillary to the immediately preceding object is to provide a mounting which greatly reduces the likelihood of fire since the swinging motion will not cause shorting of the electric circuits in the fixture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting which is adapted for fabrication from many diflFerent materials, so that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of availability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily determined to suit particular conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting which is practicable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Finally, it is an object to provide a lighting fixture mounting of the aforementioned character which is simple, and convenient to use and which will give generally eificient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in View, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the 2,898,073 Patented Aug. 4, 1959 drawings which form a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational View of the support member with a top panel of a lighting fixture and a hanger stern, shown fragmentarily, and a retaining nut.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is a view of the support member, in perspective.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, perspective View of an elongated lighting fixture representative of the type which are supported by a plurality of hanger stems, one of which only is shown in this figure, along with our novel support member operatively mounted on the stem and fixture.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified support member mounted on a hanger stem, shown in section, and a nut which is indicated by dash line.

Figure 6 is an end View of the modified support member, adjacent portions of the fixture and hanger stem being shown fragmentarily.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the stem and support member tilted with respect to the fixture.

In the use of longitudinally extended, suspended lighting fixtures great loss is incurred when buildings, in which said fixtures are used, are subjected to heavy vibrations such as earthquakes or shock waves induced by explosions and the like, and by heavy machinery in operation. This loss is due, at least in part, to relative inflexibility of joints between the fixtures and the hanger stems. In most instances, pivotal mountings are provided at the ceiling, which allow transverse swinging of the fixture with inflexible joints at the fixture, but no longitudinal swinging can occur without at least damaging the fixture.

Another problem exists even when pivotal mountings at the fixture are employed because any slight unbalance of a fixture subjected to vibration as previously mentioned results in unwanted tilting of the fixture on the hanger stems with a resultant distortion of light distribution, and the fixtures also become unsightly when not retained upright. problems since it provides a mounting allowing longitudinal motion while preventing lateral tilting of a fixture suspended by a plurality of hanger stems, it being again noted that lateral motion is provided for by conventional ceiling swivel attachments.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the support member is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and is of elongated, transversely arched form comprising a hemi-cylindrical body 12 closed at the ends by end walls 14. The body 12 is disposed horizontally in use and the end walls are normally vertical. A central boss 16 is formed integral with the body and extends vertically downward therefrom to a level slightly below the plane of the bottom edges of the end walls 14. The boss has bore- 20 to receive the lower end of a hanger stem 22 with a nut 24 engaging the lower end of the boss 20. Generally cylindrical locking lugs.26, integral with the body 12 are disposed adjacent the sides of the boss 16, and prevent unwanted backing off of the nut 24 with respect to the stem 22.

Spaced deformations represented as conical points 28 protruding from the upper or outer surface of the body 12 are provided to engage the underside of a horizontal suspension plate means or top panel 30 of ,a lighting The instant invention solves both of these 1 fixture wherewith the instant support member is used. These deformations 28 are designed to bite into the plate or panel 30 to the extent necessary for prevention of any rotation of the member with respect to the fixture and to insure adequate, continuous electrical grounding. Strengthening ribs 32 extend longitudinally of the body and terminate at the lugs 26. The deformations 28 are preferably disposed in a row at the top of the body and in rows on either side of the top row so that in the event of swinging movement or tilting of the fixture the member 10 is still prevented from turning on the stem 22. A slot 34 is provided in the suspension plate or panel-30.

In the modified fOI'Ill of this invention shown in Figures 47, the support member 50. is constructed from sheet metal of half round form and constitutes an elongated, transversely arched element having the general shape of the member 10. The member 50 is centrally apertured as at 52 and the sides are parted and bent to provide one or more nut retaining lugs 54. A hanger stem 56 is inserted through the opening52 and the lugs 54 prevent the nut 58 from turning relative to the member 50. As a further precaution a lock nut 60 can be used, thus positively preventing the stem and the member from turning relative to the suspension plate or top panel 62. of the fixture fragmentarily illustrated in Figure 4. Whether or not the lock nut is employed the member 50 will ordinarily not shift to any position other than exactly transverse to a fixture.

The longitudinal slot 66 must be provided in the top panel 62 of a fixture to allow the stem 56 to extend therethrough, the under side of the panel 62 resting on the end portions 6464 of the member 50. The slot 66 is of sufficient width to provide a slight clearance for the stem 56, and is longitudinally extended to allow free tilting of the stem to a position as best illustrated in Figure 7.

Referring again specifically to Figure 7, it can be clearly seen that any rotation of one member 10 or the member 50 on the stem will result in the elevation of one end portion of the fixture and the lowering of the other end portion of the fixture. For this reason, it is desirable to prevent any rotation, it being obvious that a complete disengagement of the member 50 from the stem would allow the fixture to fall. Many ways of locking the members 10 and 50 on the stem in a posi tion transverse of the fixture are applicable, but we prefer the previously described means, since adjustment and/or re-adjustment requires merely a lifting of the fixture and the member until the nut retaining lugs clear the retaining nut, which may then be turned to the re quired position, the member and fixture then being lowered into re-engagement with the nut.

Obviously no extra loading is imparted to the top panel of the fixture when longitudinal swaying occurs, since the load is always applied vertically downward and no vectorial forces, as occur in rigid or semi-rigid joints are encountered.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the term top panel as used herein is intended to include virtually any member or members conventionally used for connection with hanger stems, and the number and character of the stems is not material. It is also noteworthy that this invention is adapted for use with any elongated, multiple-stem fixture whether the same is hung from the ceiling or suspended from other structure, and the disposition and character of the lamps used in the fixture is also immaterial to the proper functioning of this invention.

We claim:

1. Hanger means for use in a horizontally elongated lighting fixture, said hanger means comprising: horizontal suspension plate means; a plurality of substantially inflexible hanger stems; an elongated support member centrally secured to the lower end of each stem; each of said members comprising opposed, rigid elongated portions extending horizontally and having upwardly convex upper surfaces engaging the underside of said horizontal suspension plate means at opposite sides of the corresponding stem; said upper surfaces being convexly arcuate about an axis extending longitudinally of the member and transversely of the lighting fixture; and the entire weight of the fixture being supported on said convex upper surfaces; whereby the fixture supported by said hanger means is permitted to sway in a plane extending longitudinally of the fixture, as in the event of an earthquake. a

2. Hanger means for use in a horizontally elongated lighting fixture, said hanger means comprising: horizontal suspension plate means; a plurality of substantially inflexible hanger stem; an elongated support member centrally secured to the. lower end of each stem; each of said members comprising opposed, rigid elongated portions extending horizontally and having upwardly convex upper surfaces engaging the underside of said horizontal suspension plate means at opposite sides of the corresponding stem; said upper surfaces being convexly arcuate about an axis extending longitudinally of the member and transversely of the lighting fixture; and the entire weight of the fixture being supported on said convex upper surfaces; whereby the fixture supported by said hanger means is permitted to sway in a plane extending longitudinally of the fixture, as in the event of an earthquake; and retaining means for restraining said member from turning about the stem as an axis, whereby said member can be retained disposed transversely of the fixture.

3. Hanger means for use in a horizontally elongated lighting fixture, said hanger means comprising: horizontal suspension plate means; a plurality of substantially inflexible hanger stems; an elongated support member centrally secured to the lower end of said stem; each of said members having opposed elongated portions extending horizontally and having upwardly convex upper surfaces engaging the underside of a portion of the plate means at opposite sides of said stem; and retaining means restraining said member from turning about the stem as an axis, whereby said member can be retained disposed transversely of the fixture; said retaining means comprising sharp pointed deformations inthe top surface of said elongated portions and disposed to bite into a portion of the plate.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said elongated portions are generally hemi-cylindrical throughout the lenght thereof and have integral end walls for rigidity and a curved upper surface throughout the major portion of the length thereof for contact with said horizontal portion.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the last mentioned means includes a nut on the lower end of said stem, said member having depending lugs engaging said nut and preventing it from turning.

6. In a lighting fixture, the improvement consisting of means to provide for free longitudinal swinging motion of the fixture, said improvement comprising: fixture-suspension plate means having therein spaced slots aligned and elongated in the same direction; substantially inflexible hanger stems extending through said slots; support members mounted on the lower ends of said stems, said support members being elongated and extending transversely of said slots and directly engaging lower surface portions of said fixture-suspension plate means; and means to lock said support members against turning relative to the stems.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the last mentioned means comprises nuts on the lower ends of References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Scribner Jan. 20, Arras Oct. 27, Tornblom Sept. 26, Kruger Jan. 11, Pretzer Mar. 13,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain J an. 18, 

